A RARE GUAN-TYPE QUADRUPLE VASE SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

comprising four slender almond-shaped vases, each with a waisted neck and foot, joined at middle and interconnected on the interior, the shoulders applied with four ruyi sceptre handles suspending mock rings, covered overall in a thick, opaque mottled greyish-blue glaze, the footrings dressed in a brown slip, the base of each vase inscribed with one character of a four-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30th October 2000, lot 132.

Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994-2010, vol. 4, no. 1795.

The overall condition is very good with only a minor 3mm flake to the mouthrim of one vase visible in the catalogue illustration on the right side. The actual colour is slightly softer than in the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Multiple vases were first made in the Yongzheng period (AD 1723-35), and became particularly popular with the Qianlong Emperor, but the present form is very rare. One vase of this shape, but with a pale blue glaze, was sold in these rooms, 14th November 1989, lot 179.

The unusual way the reign mark is inscribed, with a single character on each of the four bases, is also seen on other Yongzheng quadruple vases of cylindrical form. Compare a vase with guan-type glaze in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Geng Baochang, ed., Gugong Bowuyuan cang Qingdai yuyao ciqi [Qing porcelains from the Imperial kilns preserved in the Palace Museum], Beijing, 2005, pl. 149; another with celadon glaze, also in the Palace Museum, published in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding [Appraisal of Ming and Qing porcelain], Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 398; and one, also of that shape, with a Ru-type glaze in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Gugong Qing ci tulu. Kangxi yao, Yongzheng yao/ Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum, Republic of China: K'ang-hsi Ware and Yung-cheng Ware, Tokyo, 1980, pl.128; and another celadon-glazed version from the J.M. Hu collection, sold in our New York rooms, 4th June 1985, lot 40.